1 week in Nepal - Itinerary and questions

My thinking at the moment is as follows:

6 December – Arrive in Kathmandu in the afternoon, relax, settle in, wander around Thamel – Sleep in Kathmandu (International Guest House – Thamel)

7 December – Full day sightseeing in Kathmandu – Swoyambhunath (monkey temple), Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath etc. – Sleep in Kathmandu (International Guest House – Thamel)

8 December – Mountain Flight in morning. More sightseeing in Kathmandu %26amp; Patan. Possible Boudnath stupa – Sleep in Kathmandu (International Guest House – Thamel)

9 December – Check out of hotel in Kathmandu. Get a driver for the day. Drive to Nagarkot. Stop on the way for sightseeing at Baktapur. Sleep in Nagarkot (Don’t know where yet? Any suggestions?)

10 December – Enjoy morning views. Go to Kathmandu Airport (how will I get there?). Fly to Pokhara. Sleep in Pokhara (don’t know where yet?)

11 December – Sightseeing / shopping / whatever in Pokhara. Sleep in Pokhara (don’t know where yet?)

12 December – Get a driver to drive us back to Kathmandu, so that we can stop along the way at any interesting sites, I’d like to go up the cable car at Manakamana. (How much would a driver %26amp; car cost for the day? Is it worth it?). Sleep in Kathmandu

13 December – Relax in Kathmandu, make way to airport for flight home.

Questions:

•Is my itinerary realistic and is this the best way to spend a week in Nepal… Please note, I am a non-sporty non-trekker, mostly interested in sightseeing (temples, yes, air-conditioned museums, no), mountain views, wandering around taking pictures and just generally getting a feel of the atmosphere!? Of course I would have loved to visit Chitwan and see some tigers but it seems that this would require at least 3 days of total trip time. Maybe another time!

•How cold IS it at the moment and what should I wear? I am worried about freezing to death at night because in India hotels %26amp; guest houses were not exactly generous with warm blankets etc. and I am assuming the same will be the case in Nepal. And no central heating like I am used to when it is chilly. But in the day it seems to be quite warm? What to pack? (Please don’t tell me hiking boots… I do not plan to trek and am not sporty. More comfortable in suade high heels than trainers… Going shopping tomorrow for the trip ;)

•How much would a driver and car typically cost for the day? Ballpark figure please… I just want a driver not a guide …

•How clear is the weather at the moment, is it worthwhile chasing the views to Nagarkot etc.?

•Any hotel recommendations are welcome. My budget is about USD 50 per night for a double room, and I am VERY particular about cleanliness and sensitive to shabbiness / grossness

•I am not planning ANYTHING from here other than booking the first 3 nights accommodation in Kathmandu. I am hoping to book all flights, drivers and accommodation for the remaining nights, after my arrival in Kathmandu. Is this wise?

Thanks so much for your help.

1 week in Nepal - Itinerary and questions

Try the Fort Resort, Nagarkot - quite smart, and well-placed for views. I%26#39;ve stayed there a couple of times, and particularly liked the bungalows in the garden (and remember with amusement the guy who did the evening run to put a hot-water bottle in each bed !) They%26#39;ll probably also be able to quote you for a driver back to KTM airport.

In Pokhara the I used the Hotel Barahi (see review under Pokhara information) - I think it meets your criteria.

Most major Kathmandu hotels (and I assume the International Guest House comes in this category) will be able to arrange drivers etc. I wonder whether it%26#39;s worth contacting Buddha Air or Sita Air before you go to ensure your flight to Pokhara. I don%26#39;t know how crowded the waiting list is for Muntain Flights. Visibilility last week was superb !

Day-time temperatures in Kathmandu last week allowed for sitting around in t-shirts, by evening it was comfortable sitting out wearing a fleece jacket. Pokhara is likely to be warmer